The Transfiguration of our Lord February 5, 2017
Matthew 17:1-9
Just the Right Touch
v.6-7 “When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’”
Dear friends in Christ, our text takes us to the only time during His earthly ministry that Jesus’ glory, veiled in human flesh, was allowed to shine forth. This glory was not a reflection of outward light, but the revelation of inward glory. As can be seen in the reaction of the apostles Peter, James, and John, the incomprehensible nature of Jesus’ mighty acts, His glory, arouse fear in those who witness and experience it.
And yet, when the disciples fell on their faces, terrified, Jesus came to them and touched them—removing their fear and giving them peace. Much like the touch of a parent to a frightened or hurt child. As children, nobody could quite comfort us the way mom and dad could, right? In fact, it didn’t matter if somebody else tried, there was no beating mom’s familiar and comforting touch—the soft stroke of her hand across our cheek, or our father’s protective hand grasping us around our shoulders to let us know that nothing could ever hurt us. They always seemed to have just the right touch.
Boy there are days when we long for that touch, don’t we? Touch is such an important sense that the Lord has blessed us with. It connects us to one another in a very real and intimate way. Perhaps that is why most people like to be touched—indeed, most people crave some sort of contact with others, be it hugs and kisses, shaking hands, or a simple clap on the shoulder. It is reassuring to us to know that people are near who care for us and love us. In fact, we often seek out others to touch us with their healing hands, like massage therapists, reflexologists, etc., who are so very adept at the art of touching and can soothe aching and hurting muscles and joints.
However, as wonderful as human touch is to experience, it always leaves us wanting for more, doesn’t it? It never fully satisfies because those muscles and joints will eventually tighten up again with stress, and fatigue and anger. In fact, all too often our touch is not so friendly and gentle toward our neighbours. All too often we touch others with the intent to inflict pain, either by word or deed. We touch with hatred in our hearts, which leads to all sorts of problems for us and those around us in this life.
And why is it that we touch each other in this way? Why is it that the touch of our fellow human beings, as important and warming as it can be, never truly satisfies? It is because we have all been touched by sin. Sin that has corrupted this good creation of God and even tainted our very flesh. Indeed, we are touched with rebellion against God, which leads to fear, weakness, pain and sorrow. For sin has touched each of us and we grow weary and sick—leading, eventually, to the most cold and cruel touch of all—that of death. Death, which will touch each of us—death, which touches us with heartache and pain as so many in our midst know all too well. Death touches us with its dread grip, leaving grief and sorrow in its wake
And if that weren’t enough, because of the way in which we have been corrupted by sin, we deserve to be touched by God—according to His terrible wrath and vengeance. Certainly, we should be cast away from His presence, thrown into the very pit of hell for our sin and crimes against His holy Law. We should, indeed, fall down before our majestic Lord in fear and trembling and be given the full curse and punishment for our sin—eternal death and suffering—separated forever from the glorious and life-giving presence of our God. That is most certainly what we deserve.
But, thanks be to God, that is not what we get. Rather, in His incredibly rich grace and mercy—out of Fatherly love and goodness—He comes to touch us—but not with wrath or condemnation, but rather with forgiveness and life. He does not extend His hand in anger toward us, but in gentleness and peace. And this He does, not because of any goodness or worthiness in us, but solely thanks to the great work of Christ on our behalf, who suffered God's wrath in our place.
Now, in the blessed Word and Sacraments you have been touched by the Living God. He, who has given you these means to reassure and give you the forgiveness and mercy that Christ purchased on the cross with His own cruel death, He delivers to you in very real and concrete ways—touching all of your senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For you see in the Scriptures and the physical elements of the sacraments—the goodness and grace of God. You hear of His love and gentle-kindness poured out upon you freely for the sake of Jesus as His Gospel is proclaimed into your ears. You can even smell and taste the elements of bread and wine as you receive His crucified and risen flesh and blood into your very mouths to eat and to drink. And as you are touched with the waters of Holy Baptism, or have the pastor make the sign of the cross upon your brow as you lie upon your death bed, or hold in your hands the bread of Holy Communion, you are given Christ. You are given His perfect life, His death, and His glorious resurrection as a seal of the victory He Himself has won on your behalf.
For as His Holy Gospel comes to us in these ways we remember, once again, how Jesus was touched with cruel thorns upon His brow, lashes upon His back, fists upon His holy face, spikes that pierced His hands and feet, and finally the spear which struck His heart, from which then flowed the water and blood from His cold, dead, body. He was touched with the great enormity of our sin, and He suffered the severity of the full punishment and wrath of God on the cross for our sin—so that you and I might escape from under the vengeful hand of God, and instead be blessed with His loving hand of peace.
Indeed, Jesus Christ chose to touch our sin, chose to immerse Himself in it, so that now He may touch us with His grace and give us His own eternal life. Beloved in Christ, the touch of Jesus is something so simple, yet so very profound. It calmed the troubled hearts of the apostles on the mount—and it calms our aching and broken hearts as well. He has touched you in Baptism, Absolution, and Holy Communion so that you may be healed from all infirmity, doubt, fear, unbelief, and be saved from sin, death, and the devil by the forgiveness of your sins.
The Lord Jesus has come to touch you with His life-giving presence. He has come and touched you with His own holy blood, bathing you in it in the waters of your Baptism, so that you might be raised from sin and death to eternal life. He has touched you with His own holy and blessed name, writing it upon your brow and your heart—sealing you unto Himself for all eternity.
As we struggle through this life. As we encounter the cruel and hard touch of evil and sin. As we ourselves touch others with our anger and hatred that comes from our sin-filled hearts. As we experience the painful touch of suffering and death in this life in our own bodies as well as those whom we love so dearly, may we ever seek the comforting and healing touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. He who was touched so cruelly for you—has come to touch you with His peace and favour.
As you make the sign of the cross remember how He has touched you, so personally and so richly, in the healing waters of your Baptism. As you come before this altar to receive the most holy body and blood of the Saviour, remember that with your lips you are touching and receiving His forgiveness—His mercy—His everlasting life. All that is His has now become yours. Indeed, when it comes to pain and suffering, sorrow and despair, and the harsh reality of our own sin—Jesus has just the right touch. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Matthew 17:1-9
Just the Right Touch
v.6-7 “When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’”
Dear friends in Christ, our text takes us to the only time during His earthly ministry that Jesus’ glory, veiled in human flesh, was allowed to shine forth. This glory was not a reflection of outward light, but the revelation of inward glory. As can be seen in the reaction of the apostles Peter, James, and John, the incomprehensible nature of Jesus’ mighty acts, His glory, arouse fear in those who witness and experience it.
And yet, when the disciples fell on their faces, terrified, Jesus came to them and touched them—removing their fear and giving them peace. Much like the touch of a parent to a frightened or hurt child. As children, nobody could quite comfort us the way mom and dad could, right? In fact, it didn’t matter if somebody else tried, there was no beating mom’s familiar and comforting touch—the soft stroke of her hand across our cheek, or our father’s protective hand grasping us around our shoulders to let us know that nothing could ever hurt us. They always seemed to have just the right touch.
Boy there are days when we long for that touch, don’t we? Touch is such an important sense that the Lord has blessed us with. It connects us to one another in a very real and intimate way. Perhaps that is why most people like to be touched—indeed, most people crave some sort of contact with others, be it hugs and kisses, shaking hands, or a simple clap on the shoulder. It is reassuring to us to know that people are near who care for us and love us. In fact, we often seek out others to touch us with their healing hands, like massage therapists, reflexologists, etc., who are so very adept at the art of touching and can soothe aching and hurting muscles and joints.
However, as wonderful as human touch is to experience, it always leaves us wanting for more, doesn’t it? It never fully satisfies because those muscles and joints will eventually tighten up again with stress, and fatigue and anger. In fact, all too often our touch is not so friendly and gentle toward our neighbours. All too often we touch others with the intent to inflict pain, either by word or deed. We touch with hatred in our hearts, which leads to all sorts of problems for us and those around us in this life.
And why is it that we touch each other in this way? Why is it that the touch of our fellow human beings, as important and warming as it can be, never truly satisfies? It is because we have all been touched by sin. Sin that has corrupted this good creation of God and even tainted our very flesh. Indeed, we are touched with rebellion against God, which leads to fear, weakness, pain and sorrow. For sin has touched each of us and we grow weary and sick—leading, eventually, to the most cold and cruel touch of all—that of death. Death, which will touch each of us—death, which touches us with heartache and pain as so many in our midst know all too well. Death touches us with its dread grip, leaving grief and sorrow in its wake
And if that weren’t enough, because of the way in which we have been corrupted by sin, we deserve to be touched by God—according to His terrible wrath and vengeance. Certainly, we should be cast away from His presence, thrown into the very pit of hell for our sin and crimes against His holy Law. We should, indeed, fall down before our majestic Lord in fear and trembling and be given the full curse and punishment for our sin—eternal death and suffering—separated forever from the glorious and life-giving presence of our God. That is most certainly what we deserve.
But, thanks be to God, that is not what we get. Rather, in His incredibly rich grace and mercy—out of Fatherly love and goodness—He comes to touch us—but not with wrath or condemnation, but rather with forgiveness and life. He does not extend His hand in anger toward us, but in gentleness and peace. And this He does, not because of any goodness or worthiness in us, but solely thanks to the great work of Christ on our behalf, who suffered God's wrath in our place.
Now, in the blessed Word and Sacraments you have been touched by the Living God. He, who has given you these means to reassure and give you the forgiveness and mercy that Christ purchased on the cross with His own cruel death, He delivers to you in very real and concrete ways—touching all of your senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For you see in the Scriptures and the physical elements of the sacraments—the goodness and grace of God. You hear of His love and gentle-kindness poured out upon you freely for the sake of Jesus as His Gospel is proclaimed into your ears. You can even smell and taste the elements of bread and wine as you receive His crucified and risen flesh and blood into your very mouths to eat and to drink. And as you are touched with the waters of Holy Baptism, or have the pastor make the sign of the cross upon your brow as you lie upon your death bed, or hold in your hands the bread of Holy Communion, you are given Christ. You are given His perfect life, His death, and His glorious resurrection as a seal of the victory He Himself has won on your behalf.
For as His Holy Gospel comes to us in these ways we remember, once again, how Jesus was touched with cruel thorns upon His brow, lashes upon His back, fists upon His holy face, spikes that pierced His hands and feet, and finally the spear which struck His heart, from which then flowed the water and blood from His cold, dead, body. He was touched with the great enormity of our sin, and He suffered the severity of the full punishment and wrath of God on the cross for our sin—so that you and I might escape from under the vengeful hand of God, and instead be blessed with His loving hand of peace.
Indeed, Jesus Christ chose to touch our sin, chose to immerse Himself in it, so that now He may touch us with His grace and give us His own eternal life. Beloved in Christ, the touch of Jesus is something so simple, yet so very profound. It calmed the troubled hearts of the apostles on the mount—and it calms our aching and broken hearts as well. He has touched you in Baptism, Absolution, and Holy Communion so that you may be healed from all infirmity, doubt, fear, unbelief, and be saved from sin, death, and the devil by the forgiveness of your sins.
The Lord Jesus has come to touch you with His life-giving presence. He has come and touched you with His own holy blood, bathing you in it in the waters of your Baptism, so that you might be raised from sin and death to eternal life. He has touched you with His own holy and blessed name, writing it upon your brow and your heart—sealing you unto Himself for all eternity.
As we struggle through this life. As we encounter the cruel and hard touch of evil and sin. As we ourselves touch others with our anger and hatred that comes from our sin-filled hearts. As we experience the painful touch of suffering and death in this life in our own bodies as well as those whom we love so dearly, may we ever seek the comforting and healing touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. He who was touched so cruelly for you—has come to touch you with His peace and favour.
As you make the sign of the cross remember how He has touched you, so personally and so richly, in the healing waters of your Baptism. As you come before this altar to receive the most holy body and blood of the Saviour, remember that with your lips you are touching and receiving His forgiveness—His mercy—His everlasting life. All that is His has now become yours. Indeed, when it comes to pain and suffering, sorrow and despair, and the harsh reality of our own sin—Jesus has just the right touch. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
